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Replacement same model tweeters like a major component upgrade

Hi all. So I blew a tweeter last week on my Martin Logan dipoles. I called ML and got a pair of replacement tweeters. I removed the dead tweeter and installed a same exact replacement model from ML. Hooked up speaker and it sounded more extended and fuller and more detailed in the FR above 2500 crossover than the other. This was immediately obvious and was confirmed by playing mono tracks on Qobuz. So since I had ordered two, I changed out the other. Bam!!! Brand new speakers!  One cannot overstate enough the importance of the tweeter in the resultant sound quality one gets. The pair of speakers now sounds better and requires less EQ (I use high end pro balanced analog EQ for years). The best upgrade I’ve done so far. By far. And I never would have thought to do this were it not for that fateful day last week. Amazing!  Would have expected a rough edgy sound worse situation initially until broken in. But quite the opposite. 
so my questions are 1. Does a tweeter not need break in?  This is a “magnetically driven planar tweeter. The latter, which MartinLogan calls an ATF Transducer, measures 1.5" by 2.25" and consists of a lightweight film of polyethylene naphthalate film with an etched aluminum voice-coil, which is sandwiched between sets of neodymium-iron-boron magnets in a rigid steel housing.”

and 2.  Do tweeters degrade over the years, such that they lose both extension as well as resolution?  It’s astounding what a simple same model replacement has done. 
And finally, 3. Do we sometimes “upgrade” speakers when we could have accomplished the same thing simply installing new drivers at much less cost?

Thanks all for your thoughts!

tlcocks
erik_squires
16,402 posts
 

1 - Usually the physical break-in is related to the suspension, and its worse for larger, traditional drivers. AMTs have no suspension to break in so there’s no history I’m aware of that those tweeters ever "break in" but certainly I’ve heard the capacitors in series break in.

2. I’m really surprised this happened, AMTs are incredibly reliable and consistent performers. More likely you are hearing a new model.

3. Drivers require a lot of careful analysis to properly integrate with other parts of the speaker. We often read in DIYaudio a story like "I have this 20 year old speaker my grandfather left me and I got these tweeters on e-bay, how do I put them together?" and often the answer is they are better of making a pre-built kit because the knowledge and measurement and care they will need to fit a random part into a speaker is too much for a first time attempt.

And oh, yeah, DIY speakers can be tremendous values. If you want to "upgrade" your fancy speakers, sell them and DIY a new kit. You’ll be better off in so many ways.  The only real benefit of this approach is how much you learn, but if you are modding a name-brand speaker your learning experience will often be a lot cheaper with a new kit.

gdaddy1
151 posts
 

AMT tweeters are far more delicate and easily prone to injury. I've often womdered about the crittical tension required for proper operation. There would be no way of knowing if the tweeter is out of spec. The effects of humidity, hot to cold or any type of air disturbence isn't good and could knock them out of whack. An innocent  vacumm cleaner across the face of the speaker would instantly ruin these delicate tweeters. How would you know?

However, I love the sound!!

@tlcocks  Do you mind my asking the price you paid for both tweeters?

 

tlcocks OP
471 posts
 

$154 each

tlcocks OP
471 posts
 

Yes, Erik it seemed like it was a new model. I’ll have to ask ML

tlcocks OP
471 posts
 

I also love the sound of this tweeter. It’s a wonderfully smooth and natural yet articulate high end. Great recordings cymbals sound amazing with this AMT

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